13 march 2010, election looming

Saturday 13th March 2010

Nick clegg, leader of the uk’s 3rd party (liberal democrats) was on the radio this morning, restating that whilst in the 1951 election only 2% of voters (actually I think it’s 7) did not opt for either of the main parties (the conservatives are centre right, labour centre left, but both very broad churches) by the last (european) elections this had risen to over 65%. Even at the last (2005) general election, it was already 30%, and this is likely to rise further on 6 may. The local elections would be on the same day, probably bad news for the 3rd party, who usually benefit from hardier supporters turning out for the locals, meaning they may be squeezed locally by higher turnout from traditional labour and conservative voters turning out for the bigger general election. Nationally, the two parties’ leakage is also due to both nationalists in scotland and wales, and single-issue parties, like the greens, ukip (leave the eu) and the british national party. The first group are likely to do better than ever in may; the latter unlikely to win a seat, although the greens may yet surprise everyone in brighton. Good luck to them and the diversity they represent.